Athfest 2013: Dirty Athens or Pulaski? Time for some stage hopping!

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
Dirty Athens Day Party
 Shonna Tucker and Eyecandy

Full of anticipation and craving even more wild tunes after my rockin' Friday night, I made my way downtown for Athfest early Saturday afternoon.  Before heading to the main stage, I stopped by the Caledonia Lounge's annual Dirty Athens day party, my favorite place to find shade with my tunes during the festival.  It seems a whole lot of people had the same idea I did.  The place was packed!  No surprise really, though.  You can't go wrong with quality bands, a roof overhead, and even some free food. Deciding to stay a while, I caught a bit of their awesome lineup including loud indie rockers Tater Zandra and poppy experimental dreamers Co Co Ri Co, a fun project featuring half of the members of Reptar.

Then I turned the corner and stepped on over to the Pulaski Street stage to hear a bit of Shonna Tucker and Eyecandy.  Her take on southern country rock certainly hit the spot. And speaking of hitting the spot, I caught a glimpse of the giant Menchies  icon dancing along to the band's songs as well.  Athfest Saturday was definitely off to a great start!  I couldn't wait to find out what else the day had in store for me.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2012: to the shade and back again with Ruby Kendrick and Atlas Sound

 
Friday, June 22nd, 2012 
Ruby Kendrick & Atlas Sound

Stepping into the much-need shade of the Caledonia Lounge, I prepared myself for a whole new array of sounds.  During the past few years, the venue has hosted the Dirty Athens show, a lineup of short sets from a bunch of solid bands, perfect for when you need a small break from the sun's death rays.

As I walked in, I caught the tail end of a set of some good rock tunes from a band I assume was Golden Brown.  Then it was Ruby Kendrick time!  I always like it when I get a chance to hear her.  The sweet pop rock she and her full band provide was a perfectly refreshing addition to my music-filled evening.  Full of joy, I soaked in her upbeat and sometimes almost tropical-sounding melodies for a while until it was time to head back out into the light once more for yet another Pulaski Stage show.


Atlas Sound was prepping for his set as I arrived and planted myself before the stage. I knew things were about to get quirky when he introduced himself and made a point of thanking the hospital he was born in for their part in his existence. Indeed I was right.  First, though, he masqueraded as your average southern musician with a guitar and a harmonica, playing a sort of folk song.  Then, just as I wondered if I had already figured him out, he layered in a recorded background and altered his style until I was nearly overwhelmed by the unique and ethereal quality of his soft rock sound.  Yup, that's what I was hoping to hear! It was a rather nice way to usher in the evening.

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! 

Athfest 2012: Efren rocks the heat!

Friday, June 22nd, 2012 
Efren (with Betsy Franck)

Slathered in sunscreen with my press pass in hand, I trekked my way through downtown to Washington Street, pumped for the official start of Athfest 2012.  Within minutes, I could tell that the heat during this year's festivities would be brutal, but I knew as long I could catch a lineup of killer bands, it would all be worth it.  Country band the Darnell Boys were just finishing up the first set of the day as I walked up, so I opted to collapse in the shade near the Manhattan Cafe and in front of the Hull Street Stage where Efren was slated to play next.

Now, I believe it's been several Athfests since I've seen Efren last, and boy, have they changed!  They seem a little less gritty and quite a bit more southern rock than I remember them, but their sound is still solid, for sure.  A few songs in, they brought powerful singer and another one of those musicians I saw in my early Athfest days, Betsy Franck, up onstage, and I've got to say, I just loved their tunes together!  And I definitely wasn't the only one who enjoyed them either.  Several ladies up front started going wild and dancing all over the place, and pretty soon, the rest of the crowd had joined in.

 Once the set ended, we got a bit of quality country folk from the guys in Corduroy Road over on the Pulaski Street Stage before the heat just became too much, and I opted to head to the shade of the Caledonia Lounge and check out the second annual Dirty Athens show.

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!